Bhubaneswar: More than seven servitors of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri sustained injuries after Lord Balabhadra’s idol fell during Pahandi Bije ritual to take the deities to Adpa Mandap in Sri Gundicha temple.
The incident took place on Tuesday evening when the deities Lord Balabadhra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath were taken to the Adapa Mandap from the respective chariots in Pahandi.
According to reports, some servitors’ legs slipped on the charamala (ramp) following which the holy idol of Lord Balabhadra fell down on the servitors.
The medical team present near the chariots immediately swung into action and took the injured to Puri hospital.
“Five servitors have been admitted to the hospital. Three to four more who sustained minor injuries are being brought to the hospital by the ambulance team. We have shifted all the injured servitors to the hospitals. The treatment is going on,” Puri Collector Sidhharth Shankar Swain said.
Now, the situation is normal and the idol of Lord has been taken to the Adap Mandap, he added.
Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan have rushed to Puri to take stock of the situation. Both the ministers met the injured servitors and inquired their health condition at the hospital.
After meeting with the servitors, the Law Minister said that all the injured are safe by the blessings of God. No such major mishap has occurred. All the rituals are going on normally, Harichandan said.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the incident and directed the Law Minister to visit the spot. The CM also wished speedy recovery of the servitors.
